Chinese ink painting represents a unique form of aesthetics, with its splashes and washes. The application of ink washes with gradation resulting in five shades inspired our choreographic concept for this dance programme. How the ink infuses the rice paper and diffuses in shades of dark or light, wet or dry, intense or muted, is just like the dancer’s body in motion: breathing in or out, moving or still, opened up or withdrawn, quick or slow, rising or falling… The body is the brush loaded with ink, and the dance, a rhythmic permeation of graded colours in an abstract painting surface. Each diffusion is a reading of the spirit behind the physical idioms.

This dance programme borrows the theories of ancient Chinese calligraphy and painting such as “injecting painting elements into dance”, “expressing emotions through painting elements”, “applying ink along the line of reason” etc. The focus is on physical movement and, more importantly, on the person. The body portrayed in Chinese classical dance is sedately powerful, emanates glorious colours, and holds endless possibilities. The body is like the landscape, or Heaven and Earth. Ink: Diffusion and Infusion is an abstraction of Chinese classical landscape paintings, in which the ink hues contain history, culture and memories...

A Chinese landscape ink painting shows the morphing of one base colour – black, and its shades are full of spirituality and imagination, while colour paintings are filled with the sounds and fury of humanity. This programme attempts to trace the history of dance movements through associations with poetry, painting, music and dance as aspects of Chinese culture down the ages.

"In ink painting, if the brushwork shows ink in five shades without artifice, that is the highest level of accomplishment; but if the application is deliberated to bring out the five shades, the shapes and forms would be distorted and uneasy.” - Zhang Yanyuan (815-907), Tang Dynasty, Famous Paintings Down the Ages

Since its inception, the he Youth Dance Company of the Beijing Dance Academy has become a strong force in Chinese dance circles through its forward-looking vision on culture, the support of the Academy and a cast of the best of its alumni. It is known for its innovative programming, high quality productions and technical virtuosity. It has been invited to appear in major functions in China, and to perform in the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Spain, Romania, Belarus, Japan, South Korea and North Korea.

Currently, its cast is made up of alumni of the Academy, who are all award-winners in national dance contests, such as the CCTV Dance Grand Prix, the ‘Lotus Award’ and ‘Taoli Cup’ competitions. They are regarded as leading figures in the new generation of dance artists in China.

According to a media review in China, the Company, “with a crème de la crème cast and unremitting youthful energy, is a first-rate dance group and the first ever in China to exemplify academic excellence.”

Under the auspices of the Beijing Dance Academy – the highest tertiary institute offering professional dance training and known as the “cradle of dancers” in China, the Company has distinguished itself among professional dance groups in China with its repertoire of dance works showing sophisticated taste as well as short-to-medium length dance dramas. By giving exemplary interpretations of dance as an art, it has won the praise as the most energetic and artistically unique among its peers in China.

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Programme Length

Ink: Diffusion and InfusionRunning time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes including an interval of 15 minutes

The Epic Beauty of Classical Chinese DanceRunning time is about 1 hour and 50 minutes including an interval of 15 minutes

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Ticketing and Discount Schemes

Tickets available from 24 August onwards at all URBTIX outlets, on Internet and by credit card telephone booking

Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis).Concessionary ticket holders must produce evidence of their identity or age upon admission.

Group Booking Discounts10% off for each purchase of 4-9 tickets at regular price, 15% off for 10-19 tickets, and 20% off for 20 tickets or more

For every purchase, only one of the above discount schemes applies. Please inform the box office staff at the time of purchase

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Audiences are strongly advised to arrive punctually. No latecomers will be admitted until a suitable break in the programmeAudiences of age 6 or above are welcomeThe contents of this programme do not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentThe presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary